Search on for missing diver's body

Friday

Jul 19, 2013 at 12:55 PMJul 19, 2013 at 8:07 PM

By Jim Haddadinjhaddadin@fosters.com

PORTSMOUTH — New Hampshire Fish and Game officers are searching the Piscataqua River for the body of a local man who failed to resurface after he went diving underwater this morning near the Sarah Long Bridge.

Portsmouth fire Chief Steve Achilles said a recovery operation is underway for the diver, who was carrying an hour's supply of air in his scuba tank. Fire officials were contacted about the man's disappearance at about 10:45 a.m., a little more than an hour after he submerged.

The man was checking the trawl line of a 17-foot lobster boat at the time. A friend or family member remained in the boat while he was underwater, Achilles said.

"I don't know if he was doing repairs or just checking his traps," Achilles said. "That will be something that an interview will have to be done."

A search for the man's body was concentrated about 70 yards downstream of the Sarah Long Bridge. Rescue personnel were standing by for more than an hour before the operation was shifted to a recovery effort.

Boats from the U.S. Coast Guard, state Fish and Game Department and New Hampshire Marine Patrol were taking part in the search for the man's remains Friday afternoon.

Portsmouth police were also dispatched to the area at 11:26 a.m. and asked to assist with controlling traffic in the area.

Achilles said the deceased diver is a man who lived in the area, but said no further information is available.